Recovery is Part of the Workout: Why More Isn’t Always Better
“I’m not sore, I didn’t work hard enough” “I need to add more weight” “No days off” We hear versions of this all the time. Progress is often associated with doing more: more weight, more volume, more sessions, more intensity. And while progressive overload is essential for adaptation, there is a point where more is […]
Doubling Up? Key Glycogen Resynthesis Strategies
Most personal training clients arrive at the gym bright-eyed and full of energy, ready to start their day with a powerful strength-training session. However, some clients show up for training after an extended run or bike ride. In these cases, clients have used up a good amount of their bodies’ glycogen stores. As a result, […]
Recombinant Human Erythropoietin: Is the Reward Worth the Risk?
Since the first Olympic Games in ancient Greece, elite athletes have sought ways to gain a competitive edge over equally skilled opponents. This practice has only accelerated in modern times, and recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) is the latest in a long line of such ergogenic tools. In this article, we explore the original clinical uses […]
Stop Apologizing for Wanting to Look Good
Why aesthetic ambition deserves respect—and why appearance still cannot become the whole definition of fitness, health, or success The Apology Before the Goal Fitness professionals hear a familiar confession during consultations: “I know this sounds shallow, but I just want to look better.” The apology usually arrives before the goal. A client wants to feel […]
Feeding the Rhythm: Meal Timing and the Shift-Working Athlete
More and more gyms today offer 24-hour access, catering to members with non-traditional work schedules. For individuals passionate about maintaining rigorous training, pairing irregular schedules with the demands of workouts and performance often feels like a constant struggle. In this article, we explore the challenges shift-working athletes face, including the timing of nutrient intake, workouts, […]
Vanity Is Not Profanity: Why Looking Better May Be the Gateway to Better Health
The Quiet Confession Over the years, I have noticed an interesting pattern during initial consultations with new clients. Almost regardless of age, experience, or fitness level, there eventually comes a point when someone lowers her voice just a little and says, “I know this probably sounds vain, but . . .” What follows is usually […]
Back to Basics: Simple Strategies for Better Recovery and Progress
In today’s complex and ever-changing fitness world, the concept of recovery has taken a quantum leap towards “rock star” status, leveraging itself as one of the biggest trends in modern wellness. For recreational and elite athletes alike, recovery has undergone a positive shift, from a mere afterthought to a highly detailed daily ritual. In this article, […]
Advances in the Field of Exercise Immunology
The realization that lifestyle factors such as exercise, nutrition, sleep, and stress can optimize the immune system seems to have captured the attention of the medical community. Since the inception of the International Society of Exercise and Immunology in the early 1990’s, exercise immunology as a science has revealed some fascinating statistics. In this article, we […]
Can Sports Nutrition Benefit Mental Health?
Nutrition and mental health have always taken center stage in elite competitive athletics. Even the NCAA has declared mental health support one of its top priorities for its athletes. In this article, we will explore the interplay between sports nutrition and mental health, including how athletes’ dietary choices can significantly affect their cognitive function, mood, […]
The Impact of Alcohol on Muscle Synthesis and Recovery
After working hard all week in the office and in the gym, many individuals choose to toast the weekend over a drink or two with friends. While a very common practice and certainly legal for adults over 21, this “happy hour” may have some unhappy side effects. In this article, we will delve into the […]